Velázquez, Art and Power
(Velázquez, el poder y el arte)
José Manuel Gómez Vidal | Documentary
2022 | 71 minutes | Spain
Who was Diego Velázquez? Why his obsession with nobility? Was his painting an end or an instrument? And above all: why did he hide his own life?
Synopsis
Velázquez, Art and Power is an exploration of the fascinating life and career of Diego Velázquez, one of the greatest painters of the Spanish Golden Age. The documentary delves into Velázquez’s rise from humble beginnings as the grandson of a hosier to becoming the court painter for King Philip IV of Spain. Through his art, Velázquez navigated the complexities of power, politics, and patronage, using his exceptional talent to secure favor at one of Europe’s most influential royal courts.
The film examines Velázquez's dual role as both an artist and a courtier, highlighting how his portraits not only immortalized the Spanish monarchy but also subtly critiqued the structures of power. Featuring stunning visuals of his masterpieces and expert commentary, Velázquez, Art and Power offers an in-depth look at how art and politics intertwined in 17th-century Spain. It is a compelling journey through the life of a visionary artist who redefined portraiture and left an indelible mark on Western art history.
Reviews
“The most unknown aspects of one of the geniuses of painting.” – Canal Sur , Comunicación RTVA
“An analysis of the proximity to power of the painter of 'Las Meninas'.” – Arturo Tena, Cine con Ñ
Citation
Coming soon.
Cataloging
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Pragda subjects
Biography
Culture + Identity
Economics + Social Class Issues
History
Iberian Studies
Political Science
Visual Arts
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Seminci. Valladolid International Film Festival; Santo Domingo Global Film Festival
DIRECTOR: José Manuel Gómez Vidal
NATIONALITY: Spain
YEAR: 2022
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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